Upward trend for Munich trade fair

Over 900 companies and 600 direct exhibitors from 46 countries will be present at the next Opti Munich, Inernational Optics and Eyewear exhibition from January 13-15 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.

The last event in January 2005 attracted some 33,000 international visitors from 63 countries, up 5 per cent, with a further increase predicted for Opti 2006.

The show will occupy 45,000sqm in pavilions B1-B3 of the trade fair centre, and the organisers promise an 'international and overall preview of the latest fashion trends and technical developments in frames and sunglasses, ophthalmic and contact lenses, optometry and ophthalmology instruments and machines'.

A special Trend Design area includes trend setters from Alain Mikli, Anne et Valentin, JF Rey, Oxibis, Face ˆ Face, Lafont, to Freudenhaus and IC Berlin, as well as some not so well known German and other European companies that operate on a small scale 'but still offer great designs with a new look'.

The German Initiative for Good Eyesight is searching for a 'Miss and Mister Specs 2006', where, after a casting in October, six people will be chosen to take part in the grand final at Opti Munich. Organisers added that the award ceremony would be a highlight of the event.

Visitors are offered special accommodation and travel services, with Opti partner hotels (information on www.opti-munich.com) offering special overnight accommodation.
There are two-day all-inclusive trips with flight/return flight, transfers, accommodation in a four-star hotel with breakfast, entrance ticket for two days and the trade fair catalogue (www.mgd-reisebuero.de/opti).

All visitors are entitled to free airport transfer by shuttle coach between Munich airport (Terminal 1A, Main Concourse, Terminal 2) and the West entrance to the trade show, from 8am to 6.30 pm each day of the exhibition.